Below we post a selection of recent letters to the World Socialist Web Site.
On “First debate in California recall election: Snapshot of a political system in crisis”
Regarding the California TV “debates” you hit the proverbial nail on the head by noting that our economic woes result from an economic system that promotes unrestrained accumulation of wealth. That is the problem.
RB
6 September 2003
* * *On “AFL-CIO’s Sweeney voices solidarity with Bush’s wars”
Hello,
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed Bill Vann’s article on the AFL-CIO and Sweeney’s support of the war. Being a graduate student of labor relations as well as a strong believer in peace, I’m disgusted with the stance that has been taken by the AFL-CIO in regards to the war and occupation of Iraq.
As a Michigander, I’m also disgusted with Sweeney discussing ”Working America” in Detroit two days after Labor Day. Shame on him for being so arrogant in coming to a burnt-out city left for dead by the AFL-CIO and advancing his capitalistic agenda while feigning support of working class people. Anyway, thanks again for always providing such quality pieces that are interesting and informative. The so-called “labor movement,” at least the one led by the AFL-CIO, is something I never wish to be a part of.
RM
5 September 2003
* * *On “Hutton Inquiry: Blair government’s lies on Iraqi WMD unravel”
Yes more lies, lies, and lies. The only thing the Hutton Inquiry fiasco has established for sure is that the government lied about Saddam Hussein and the “threat of WMDs,” the dossier, David Kelly, and every “fact” associated with them. Maybe it should be renamed the “I did not have sex with that dossier” inquiry. As that famous war criminal and master of deceit Bill Clinton said, it all depends on what the meaning of “it” is.
The real issue is war crimes and those who committed them. These people (Bush, Blair, Howard and their thugs including the UN) need to be prosecuted for their crimes against humanity. If these monsters are allowed to get away with these crimes it means the end of “the rule of law” and civilization. There is no more pressing issue for the world than this. All people need to rise up and demand that justice is done.
G
6 September 2003
* * *On “British army admits brutalising Iraqi civilians”
Dear Editor,
Regarding Lt. Col. Tim Collins, this man made an outrageous speech shortly before his leaving for Iraq, in which he advocated war crimes against Iraqi soldiers who might not yet have formally surrendered. The British Helsinki Human Rights Organisation noted this and analysed the speech on their web site. Unfortunately it seems now to have been removed from their site, and I have written to them about this.
This is the very speech that George Bush thought was so wonderful it should be put on his wall. I cannot help wondering what he would make of Himmler’s speech to the SS of October 1943 at Posen, supposing it were topped and tailed. It also attracted the plaudits of the Kilburn Times (London NW6).
Yours sincerely,
BC
5 September 2003
* * *On “France: José Bové’ s perspective is a blind alley”
Dear editor,
Leon Trotsky once pointed out that historically, the peasantry has a tendency to act upon the perspective of another class. In revolutionary Russia, this tendency expressed itself in a progressive fashion, when the peasantry joined the Russian working class in the historic task of defeating feudalism and building socialism. In czarist Russia, this tendency was expressed in a reactionary way, as peasants participated in pogroms incited by the ruling class.
It will be interesting to follow the trajectory of the peasant movement in France under the leadership of José Bové, arch-opportunist and petty bourgeois radical.
Yours,
EG
2 September 2003
* * *The articles that I have been fortunate to receive read in truth to any inquiring mind. I recently attended a talk given by Willam Thomas, the author of All Fall Down, a book written in respect to the politics of terror and mass persuasion from a journalist’s point of view.
Nowhere is it published by either the media of television, radio or newsprint about who are the beneficiaries of war: the munition makers or of the billions made. Irrespective of whether it be in Iraq, Korea, China, Afghanistan, Ireland or wherever.
These are the guilty parties and the propaganda for war is fed through the media. There is no shame or guilt attached for the deaths of innocent children and/or people while we live in a yet innocent world in Canada. Awareness of this reality shaping world consciousness is happening due to efforts such as publication of your journalists’ work.
Thank you.
MS
British Columbia
[6 September 2003]